Music at Moorland Promises Enchanted Evening

Sometimes there's just not enough days to go around, but each week we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself.

This Thursday, you can escape to a magical evening of family fun (or even romance!) at the 12th annual Music at Moorland at Moorland Farm off Route 202 in Far Hills. The evening will feature an outdoor performance by the Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO). Fireworks by Grucci of New York, as in previous years.

The orchestra’s performance begins at 7:30 p.m. under the direction of Gemma New. New, assistant conductor of the orchestra and director of the Lunar Ensemble, is a native New Zealander and has conducted orchestras on multiple continents. Fireworks will follow.

Music at Moorland is presented by Sanofi US, as a benefit for Somerset Medical Center. Event sponsors also include Open Road Auto Group, King’s Supermarkets and Peapack-Gladstone Bank.

Each year, groups of people spread out on blankets with feasts, or attend tented parties to enjoy an evening of culture in a natural setting.

“Music at Moorland brings together families from throughout our community for a wonderful summer evening of picnicking, world-class music and spectacular fireworks,” said John von Stade, co-chair of Music at Moorland. “Best of all, the event supports Somerset Medical Center, which generations of Central New Jerseyans rely on for health care services throughout their lives.”

"We are so pleased to again perform in this idyllic setting for the Somerset Hills community," said New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's interim president and CEO Susan Stucker.

The evening’s selections will include Antonín Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, Slavonic Dance Op. 72, No. 2, and the third movement of his Cello Concerto; Richard Rodgers’ The King and I Overture, Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow” and patriotic favorites including Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” Carmen Dragon’s “America the Beautiful” and John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Cellist Christine Lamprea will be the featured soloist at Music at Moorland as part of the Sphinx Soloist Program sponsored by the GM Foundation. Lamprea is the first place laureate in the senior division of the 2013 Annual Sphinx Competition presented by DTE Energy Foundation. A rising young soloist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, including Alice Tully Hall, the Beethovenhaus, the Kennedy Center and the Metropolitan Museum. 

Fireworks will begin at nightfall. The Grucci of New York, known as “America’s First Family of Fireworks,” is world-renowned for their pyrotechnic artistry. They have staged fireworks for seven consecutive U.S. Presidential inaugurations, four Olympic games and the Statue of Liberty Centennial celebration.

“Nothing can compare to Grucci fireworks,” according to Guy Torsilieri, co-chair of Music at Moorland. “Many families come to Music at Moorland year after year just because of the amazing fireworks finale. We are proud to be one of the few remaining venues in New Jersey to host such an elaborate fireworks display.”

Premium seating, including corporate tent parties, and special ticket packages are available online at www.musicatmoorland.com or by calling 908-685-2500.

General admission tickets are $40 in advance or $80 at the gate. Children under 14 receive free admission when accompanied by an adult.

Tickets are on sale at select Kings Supermarkets, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville and at locations throughout Central New Jersey.